MISSION: The OASIS is a justice ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark to make the church safe for ALL people, and to challenge the church when its interest is self-preservation and not prophetic witness.

BACKGROUND: The OASIS was founded in 1989, as a diocesan ministry to gay and lesbian (and later bisexual and transgender) people. The Diocese of Newark was the first in the Episcopal Church to fully include openly gay and lesbian (and later bisexual and transgender) people in the full life of the Church. This prophetic ministry has led the way for the entire Episcopal Church and the larger Anglican Communion.